Trump Dismisses NCTC Director Joe Kent After Resignation Over Iran War Protest

Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned from his post on March 17-18, 2026, in protest of the Trump administration's war with Iran.

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He declared that "Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."

Al-Monitor

The resignation marked the first high-profile departure from Trump's administration over the Iran conflict.

Kent posted his letter on X stating he "cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran."

A decorated military veteran with 11 combat deployments and a former CIA paramilitary officer, Kent framed his decision as a moral imperative.

He specifically mentioned his experience as a "Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel" in 2019.

President Trump quickly responded to Kent's resignation, dismissing him as "weak on security".

He declared it was "a good thing that he's out because he said that Iran was not a threat."

Associated Press News

In a White House press conference, Trump stated that "Iran was a tremendous threat" and "every country recognized Iran was a threat."

Trump added that "if someone in his administration did not believe Iran was a threat, we don't want those people."

The president called Kent "a nice guy" but "very weak on security."

He suggested anyone who didn't see Iran as a threat was "not smart people, or they're not savvy people."

Trump's response highlighted the administration's firm stance on the Iran war despite growing internal dissent.

Kent's resignation sparked divided reactions across the political spectrum.

Democrats found rare common ground with the former Trump official on the Iran war's justification.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner stated Kent was "right" about there being "no credible evidence of an imminent threat from Iran."

House Speaker Mike Johnson strongly defended the administration's position, claiming "there was clearly an imminent threat that Iran was very close to the enrichment of nuclear capability."

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard backed Trump's decision, stating that as commander-in-chief, "President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat."

The partisan divide highlighted the deep divisions over the Iran war's justification and intelligence.

Kent's background and political history added complexity to his resignation.

A former Green Beret with 11 combat deployments primarily in Iraq, he had twice unsuccessfully run for Congress in Washington state as a Republican.

BBC

His political career was marked by controversies, including payment to a member of the far-right Proud Boys group for consulting work.

He also refused to distance himself from conspiracy theories about the January 6 Capitol attack and the 2020 election.

Despite these controversies, Senate Republicans praised his counterterrorism qualifications.

Sen. Tom Cotton stated Kent had "dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe."

His complicated background made his principled stand against the Iran war particularly noteworthy.

Kent's resignation letter contained sharp criticisms beyond simply questioning the Iran threat.

“Do not believe the lies”

BBC

He alleged a broader "misinformation campaign" orchestrated by "high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media."

CBC

Kent claimed this "echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States."

He compared it to tactics that drew the U.S. into the Iraq War, writing "This was a lie."

These allegations drew condemnation from pro-Israel groups.

The Anti-Defamation League accused Kent of "traffic[ing] in old-age antisemitic tropes."

Ilan Goldenberg of J Street described his letter as "ugly stuff that plays on the worst antisemitic tropes."

Kent's accusations highlighted deep divisions within the Trump administration over foreign policy and Israel's role.